In a recent development, concerns have been raised by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) regarding Meta Platforms’ revised paid ad-free service, suggesting that it may still be in violation of EU privacy, consumer laws, and antitrust rules.
BEUC has called upon EU regulators to take action against the U.S. tech giant, alleging that despite Meta’s introduction of a fee-based subscription service for Facebook and Instagram in 2023, the changes made last year fall short of addressing critical issues related to user choice and data privacy.
BEUC Director General Agustin Reyna expressed skepticism over Meta’s attempts to comply with EU regulations, stating that the company’s modifications are merely superficial. Reyna emphasized that Facebook and Instagram users continue to face an unfair choice when it comes to personalized ads, with Meta allegedly steering them towards its behavioral ads system.
The consumer group raised concerns about Meta’s alleged misleading practices and lack of transparency in terms of data processing, arguing that users are not given the opportunity to provide informed consent. BEUC further accused Meta of compromising the quality of service for users who opt out of sharing their personal data.
BEUC’s call for swift action by consumer and data protection authorities, as well as the European Commission, underscores the urgency of investigating Meta’s latest policies and ensuring robust measures are in place to safeguard consumer rights.
In response to these allegations, Meta has stated that last year’s adjustments were made in compliance with demands from EU regulators. However, the company faced antitrust charges from EU regulators in July last year for violating the Digital Markets Act, as they deemed Meta’s ad-free service to be limiting user choices.
The ongoing scrutiny of Meta Platforms’ business practices highlights the complex interplay between tech giants and regulatory bodies, underscoring the need for greater transparency, accountability, and user empowerment in the digital landscape.
As the debate around data privacy and consumer rights continues to evolve, the actions taken by regulators in response to BEUC’s allegations against Meta Platforms will be closely monitored to ensure that the interests of users are prioritized in the ever-changing digital ecosystem.
